TNAG-0080-FCO40-116-Public-Order-legislation-1967 — Page 116

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DAILY CHINESE PRESS SUMMARIES

Part II Translations

VED I

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Saturday, November 18, 1967

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(AEDITORIAL

Autopsy Of The Body Of The Fascist Bill

TA KUNG PAO (18.11):

In a scathing attack on the recently passed Public Order Bill, it said that the Bill which was "infested with fascist germs" had aroused widespread discontent, not only from the members of the vast public, but also from the upper strata of society.

A European barrister has pointed out that it took only a month to push through the Bill and in such a short time, it would be impossible to read carefully its contents, it said.

In doing so, the Hong Kong British Authorities had a greater sinister intention, the paper asserted. Undoubtedly, this stinking piece of legislation is aimed at the Chinese compatriots in Hong Kong and Kowloon. It is the chain and fetter used for their racial oppression.

Apart from mere mention of the Bill by the Hong Kong British radio stations and other propaganda machineries, the Hong Kong British Authorities had never takes steps to make known its contents to the public.

The paper then went on to say that the passing of the Bill represented a redoubling of efforts on the part of the Hong Kong British to restrict and control the legitimate activities of Chinese compatriots in studying the wonderful thoughts of Chairman Mao Tse-tung.

Now let us perform an autopsy of the body which had its lease of life from the bankrupt African Colonial rule.

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It stated that the second part of the bill governing the control of societies may be termed as Fascist legislation for it empowers any police officer to remove any flags, posters, or signs in any place if he considers the display of them would affect the peace in the place. This part of the bill also provides that no one should wear any uniform which indicates its connection with a political organisation except with the written permission of the Commissioner of Police, it said. It added that the last section of this part provides that organisations aimed at preventing the Police or the Armed Forces to carry out their duty be termed as semi- military organisations and be banned.

It went on to say that according to the information released by the Hong Kong British, the third part of the bill concerning the control on public meetings and processions was borrowed intact from the old legislation of Kenya when it was still a British Colony. It explained that although, under this part of the bill, public meetings and processions may be held after successful application for permission, any police officer can stop

/such..... P. T. 0.

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